Telpher.



a. F. WEBER L F. E. woouron.

TELPHER.

APPLICATION mxo P51124. 19m.

Patented Feb. 26, 1918.

8 SHEETSMSHEE] 14 i F WEBER L F. E. WUUDFORU TELPHEH.

APPLICA'HON rms rfa. 24. 1910.

1,257, Patented Feb. 26, 1918.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

N N @0m QY/f" 'wrrNEssEs v/ mvEN-ron uw l @up M2M @Hav/M.

B. F. WEBER & F. E. WOODFORD.

TELPHER.

APPLlc/moN FILED FEB. 24. 1910.

Ptentd Feb. 26, 1918.

8 SHEETS-nnen a WITNESSES lj// l S SHEEYWSHEET 4'.

INVENTUM:

Emma Een. 26, 1918.

TELPHER.

APPLICATLON FILED ma. 24. m10;

5. F. WEBER & F. [iL WOODFOHD.

B'. F. WEBER M. E. woouFo'Ru.

TELFHER.

APPucATIdN man rum. |910.,

Patented Feb. 26,1918.`

B SHEETS-S-HEET 5.

3.1K. wgmaz F. E. woonfln.-

TELPHER. l'

APPmc'ATloN FILED FEB. 24. 191'0,

Patented Feb. 26, ISHS.

' 8 SHKETS-TSHEET 6.

wrrusssss 1B, E, WEBER @L E. E. wooEoRu.. e

TELPHER.

' AEPLlcATloN FILED FEB. 24. |910.

Patented Feb.26,1918

8 SHEETS-SHEET I e we BERNARD R AND FRANK E. WOODFORD, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

TELPHER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 26, 1918.

Application filed February 24, 1910. SeriallNe. 545,616.

To all @rr/tom it may concern:

fis

" tlriren Be it known that wet BERNARD F. WEBER and FniiNnfE. lloonrouo, citizens of the United States, and residents of Chicago, in the State of Illinois. have invented certain new and useful niprorements in Telphers, of which the tollen-ing a specification.

Our present in vent-ion relates to con'veye'rs in general and more particularly aerial tramways, and` has special reference to the intranmral tran-spintaion of articles in process of manufacture from one part of the mamifaoturing establishment to another 'part thereof. lu the pres-em' instance, we have "shown an embodiment ot our invention e. pecially arleptergl 'for use in a. brick yard.

The principal objects of our present invention are: the prov; on of automut'icully operated carrier ai'joaratus ttor transferring brick, as they issue from the brick making niachine, to the ears upon which they are hu-c red. ueparatory to storing, drying or hurnin ,l r 1 with the intervention of e Ininimum amount of manual labor; the provision o u improved L tem of mono-rail tracks for 'su1-ig'iort'ing the f zonveyer units and elevetinp; or lowering tl'iem to any desired level ttor emiveinnce in i'legiositing the load; the pi'oi'fisiou of en impr( eil (le 'gn olf motor trolley for operating the individual carriers; the provision of en improved form of individuel carriers for supporting the goods to be transported; the proyision of co operating means whereby the operation of the carri-er units, and o'' the engaging means carried thereby, may be varied when desiredl and .tliereafter autoi'nutica/llyrestored; the

provision of in'iproved means for intermit tently driving the individuel conveyer units; the provision olf improved means for inten mittently este"y ig the engaging mechanism and reusing them to engage the articles tobe transported; the provision of elastic means whereby .the carriers may' be conveniently ,lowered or turned, or both, es may be desired, in order that the load muy be deposited Without injury thereto end in any desired posiion; the provision of' improved` ineens for iiisengaging the individua-l carriers from the load amilA autonmticully returning the carriers to former operative position; the provision of automatically operated electrical means for controlling the movements of each of the individuel trolleys und of the engaging means carried thereby; the provision of means whereby the several members of a series of carriers ma be diverted in rotation to several. corresponc ing members of a series of switch tracks gv the provision of means for restraining the simultaneous approach of a plurality of trolleys to the pointof convergence of e switch trac-k with the main line, and therebj1 preventing collision end possible clereilment or damage to any one of the individual conveyor units; the pro vvision or' means for moving cars upon which the brick are hacked, at a rete of speeds proportional to the norma-l rate of delivery of brick thereto; the provision of means whereby any curvature or irregularity in the bricks as they issue from the brick forming mechanism may be removed, together with such. other objects may hereinafter ppeer.

In the manufacture of bric-ks as customarily carried on at this (ley, the bricks they issue from the forming mecllanism are deposited upon an emlless belt conveyer running to a. point :uljacent to a series oit-eers, and as the bricks approach the Cars they are minimally lifted from the belt und placed .in the desired position upon the cars. This system ot operation objectionable in the following respects:

lllirstly-ln order that it may be carri-ed out at all, all of the operatives removing 'brick from the convcyer andthe belt and hacking themen the cars, must move in uni; son to avoid interference, and the speed with which. the transference of lthe brick. may be accoinplished is governed by that of the least efficient operator;

oudly-Mueh time 4is lost and the caiiaeity of the plant reduced in the .event of the absence for any cause :of one of the operatives; that is, any variation in the number of operatives, even lfor a short time, re quires the proportionate variationin the speedv of the conveyer belt;

Thirdly-ln the even-t that the operatives improvements as useful in a brick making establislmient g Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of a portion of the electrical. equipment and controlling means therefor preferably used by us in connection with the apparatus of Fig. 1;

Fig'. 3 i's an enlarged transverse elevational view, artially in section, taken on the line 111--q II of Fig. 1;

Figs. 4 and 5 are respectively end and side elevational -views of one ofthe individual trolleys used in connection with the apparatus of Fig.` 1.;

. Fig. 6 is a wiring diagram of the electrical connections utilized in connection with the driving motor ofI Figs. #l and 5 and enga ing means of Figs. 7-12;

ige. 7 and 8 are respectively partially broken 4away side andV partially sectioned elevations of form of carrier mechanism used for engaging' one type of brick, Fig. S being taken on the line VIIL--Vlll of Figf':

Fig. 9 is an elevational view of a detail of the end of Fig. 7;

Figs. 10,11, and 12 are respectively 'a side elevational view, a plan view, and a transverse elevational view partially in section, of a form of engaging mechanism used in convnection With another type of brick, the view of Fig. 12 being taken on the line XIF-XII of Fig.11;` v

Fig. 18 is a diagrammatic view illustrativeof the relative positions assumed by the several members of a series of trolley units and carrier unitsl as they respectively come into position to engage, and complete the -operation of engagement of., the several members of a row of brick, the `coneyer Vunits being of the type illustrated in Figs. 'i'

and y8;

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary view of thedetail oflconstruction showing the means whereby teo the conveyer -units of Figs. 10 to 12 'are caused to engage brick of another type than those indicated in Fig. 13;

` Figs. 15 and 16 are respectively plan and enlarged elevational viewsof the switch op erating mechanism preferably employed by us in connection with the construction of Fig. Il., Fig. 16 being taken on the line XV--XVI of Fig. 15;

Fig. 17 is an elevation, partly in section. of the circuit changing mechanism prefer-- ably used by' us :toractuating the switch operating mechanism. of Figs. 15 and 16; andeL l `igs. 1S and 19 are respectively a plan view and a sectional view of certain details of the construction of F ig. 17, Fig. 19 being taken on the line XIX-MX of Fig. 17.

In carrying out our invention in preferred form We, make use of the following principal elements, in connection with a brick making machine7 viz: a trolley track A, A., A, located immediately 'above a conveyer belt B adapted to receive brick as they come from the forming machine. ;,a plurality of motor trolleys C running on the track A; carrier devic s D respectively supported by the trolleys (.i; a plurality oit branch tracks E diverging from the main track A and afterward converging therewitln each of said tracks E beingV provided witl a switch F, and switch operating means G; a single circuit' changer H for completing in rotation the circuits through the several actu ating means G; a plurality of cars J on tracks K, upon which cars the bricks may be hacked preparatory to storing, drying or burning, the tracks being disposed transversely to the trolley tracks E; driving mechanism M for imparting a continuous motion to the cars J as they traverse the planes of the tracks E; self-closing switches N arranged to normally connect the branch tracks E with that part of the main track A indicated at P; a suitablev electrical conductor Q for feeding the trolley motors, and

a suitable conductor R for exciting the. operp understood that a common return for allA electrical equipment is had through the rail A to the `ground W. o l

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1 and 3, it willV be observed thatthe center branches E? F/,E2 and E3 of the main trolley track Aare'located at different heights above the rails K upon which the cars J move, to the end that the carriers D will at all times be convenientlyclose to the sur` face of 'the cars J or to the bricks piled thereupon, thereby avoiding not only unnecessary expenditure of elort by the operatives in discharging the bricks upon the car,

` 7 to 12, a spring rivet v eration of the device. jlneans for holding members .35 sind 3'?? but -ulsodanger of br dinge of snub. l: L byliopping them. vlu ordi-nf that eecli ci the cars l may be nim-'cd "mi a edm. p" position below the tr lo the 'tre' lil?, E and E, in succcmon. nl. e speed which, will appro inniile the delivery ol' brick by the f-nriie preferably utilize the driving mi indicated et il 'in Fig. l. n'lieieln :is seen 'upon reife-rence to Fig. 25 the f onveyeaf M (driven by e motoi` '22) is of' e. chain con structionl und provided with arms i270 noi inelly disposed et right angles to the con veycl', but movble relatively tl'n'ueto in one direction. only, to wit-the dii'ection normal. travel. of the convcyen suele er being adapted to engage Jdie n of cars J and drive such cars orwfiril in direction indicated by the Referring new more part. 5. und G which illustrate i'nore struction el" the irollmT Fig, l, it will be ob form o 'trolley compi-i ing e plir osnpporting i f ing upon the track A wliicl.,

supported from the. bracket 32. The freine 3G 1s prin vided et each end mth npturned bumpers rounded for a purpose to be below desc ibed in connection with Fig. 13, end upon one end loi the frame is mounted e motor 3e Whose shalt 35 carries a pinion 36 driving a. gear 37, in turn mounted upon 'the exle 38' of one of the trolley Wheels 3l. For the purpose of affording a pivotal support for the carriers D of Fig. l, we mount centrally' in the lower part 9b of the freine 3G, pivot ULF .illy bybolt 3G locselj)7 lined therein, han Y nig bar 37' for the supporting ele-mesi.. low to be deseribed in -conn 1 wil-7:

35? and 37a and encircling the provided' to restore theni pw i :should .they be moved therefrom in the op As en auxilinfcy 5 in 'such "parallelism, We provide cooperating 'ofthe same polarity, such coi' luctois spring catch elements 35)* and el), the mem ber. 39lmv1ng en extension adapted. to lit in e socket formed 1n member :Jill and prevent 'relative movement of the members 35 and 3 7 save under conditions olf greetea.' than that resisted by the spring 38 n For energizingthe meten' 34sr and encib ing the actuating ineens for the engaging; 'mechanisms of Figs. 5 to lill hereiileilnr de scribed, 'we xnake use of tivo 3.i'ixidnciors. Q findR respectively, having a, f..;sini'non leed supported from the above men Lened bracht 32 'but insulated therefrom es indicated L 41,' and spaced senewlia-i' simi-tj contact be ing made withtl'le conductors Q, and l re spectively by the collectes shoes 42 and e3,

the inc-trs.' 34; end the actuating device 62 having a common return 44 by means of the wiring l5 end 4G (Fig. G). l

in tlm?. nnbodin'lent of our .invention which specially available for use in conn with en end out brick machine (thnt one which 'lolnis the brick. from a ber el the two leest dimensions of e` conigileted brick) We make use of e construction of eeirier and engaging mechanism illustinted in']. nel`erred lorm in Figs. 7, 8 and l), wherein we utilize e skeleton.. framing comprising :L longitudinal her 5() having outstanding wings 51, 5l terminating in sockets 52:l 53 wherein ure mounted the rods ,y cer ying fixedly thereuponthe sup# beijing ernis 56, 57 respectivelyY which ere al si *neil* the ltrei member 607 thus engagingrthe brick, nuke nee of a. solenoid 62 Whose core is ected to the rod 63x upon which are there invver ly toward the ceni'evolubly mounted the links 64x and 65* l whose other ends are lixed against-rotation upon the rods 54 and 55. The central longitudinal member 50 is provided withl sutable attaching posts 63 by means of which it may suspended by flexible means (here indicated es e pair of chains 64)f from the trolley C above described 1n connection with l to The reen end of the lungiA i loo tuiinel skeleton member 50 is provided" .h npstendng stop 65 bifureated :is at 66 in order to provide e socket fleeting end 67 of the following en vfnrdlw. ling stop plete 68, both as is useful for to be below described, in connection With Fig. 13.

Reieiring now more particularly to Figs. 0, l1, .l2 wherein We lieve-illustrated a. pra

1 eirred embodiment of that for-n1 of carrier' and enga-ging mechanism which we find e" cele-ily useful 1n connectionwith the enspertstlon of bricks formed byv a side brick'. machine, (that is one wherein tr cell pf l completed brick), 1t will be vobserved that We Ineke use of parallel skeleton frnme'mem: bers '70 end 7l supported by the yokes 7221x111 mi l be forward end with a donne le bei' of clay as it issues from the machinev v esente the two greatest dimensions of 'e Tl which in turn serve es attaching means for the suspension devices 64 of the trolley.:-

Between the frame members 70 and 71W@ :mount e plurality of engaging members 75 preferably formed of sprmg brass, each of members -75 comprises'aJ shank portion ,end an enlarged Contact portion 77, the

` those' indicated at 85 anjd 86, are so nioute by the shaft -pins 83 and 84,

sides ofthe shank portions heilig turned at substantially right angles as indicated at 78, .79 for a.two-fold purpose, viz: to pro-V vide a bearing for the supporting trunnions whose 'outer ends 81 and 82 rest respec tively upon the members 70 and 71 and. are i as to be drawn inwardlyjtoward each other,

when the core of the solenoid 62 -rises and i lifts the link 87, turning tle 'hub 88 carried" 89 which is supported in the vertical portions 90 disposed between the ortions TIO-470 and 'Z1-71 loli the skeleton rame elements, since upon the hub 88 we mount Itheconnecting links 92 and 93 car,4 ryin t their outer ends rods 94 and 95 passing through slots 96 and 97 in the respective members 85 and 86, and respectively engagin corresponding rods 92 and 93, ec centrica ly mounted' u For the purpose of" forcingthe outermost f elements 85 and 86 apart and'outwerdly,

when the coi1 of :the solenoidlfds not4 excited,r we mount the several connecting rods 92?, 92,

93, 931 in outstandin ears, such as shown to the rod 92, fixing upon each thereof collars 100 and between eachsuch collar and ear `99, a spring 101 in eachv case. This .con-

. struction presents two advantages, first when the elements 85 and 86 are rawn toward each `other the several springs 101 are com. pressed, tending to separate the members 85 4and 86 immediately u on V(iliseontinuance of the excitation of the so enoid 62', and secon-d the recoil of the spring is restrained by the contact of such. collar 100 with the inner face of the ear 98. 4

Referring now more particularly to Fig,

'13, it willV be 4observed that we have-.here Vshown a plurality of the trolleys C and cerriers D inthe positions they assume relv 'tively to each other and the brick 1512 as such brick are 'discharged upon the it, B

n, upon eniergence-from the brick forniish, de-

vice 103,l at the time the conveyer units ride i the device 108 upon the belt 102,

into posit-ion to engage such brick. -From en examination of' this figure it will benb` served that a portion of the track A, nearest the point of emergence of the brick from is elevated Va. distance equal substantially to the thick- -Bsitions of the several carrier1 B on fa hub 88' disposed yon the shaft I89.0pposrteto the ,-hub 88. .o

atl `98 and .99E-With' 're erence` ness of the brick, above that portion of' the track indicated at 105 where the carriers D engage the brick, and that the rounded bumpers 33 are provided not only for the purpose of spacing the trolleys apart and preventing thc swinging of the carriers D in alinexnent therewith, but also to insure that as each of the trolleys C approaches the one in front of it, they will not overlap when Athe respective ends come to the posiv` tion indicated at 38 and 33 butthat the projecting portion 67 ol the clamp will ride into the notched portions G6 ofthe forward clamp and prevent the -rear clainp from any Contact whatsoever with the brick engaged or about to becomeV engaged with such forward carrier, as is -ve'ry clearly to be seen on the comparison of the relative D', D'l und nits the use This construction also pe ofthe downwardly extending stop plato for retarding the brick as desirable in the operation of our device below to be doF scribed,

As is likewise to be seen on an insg'icclicn ofthe present figure, in lieu of the levible chains 64 'and springs 106 for supporting the carriers D from the trolley C, we may as indicated at 641-1I and adapted to reciproF cate in the, springs 106 interposed in alinen ment therewith as part of ,the flexible connections between the trolley7l C and carriers D, the springs in, the case of the chains terminating .in loops 107 and in case of the rods in apertured' plates 64. to allow the reciprocation of the rods 64X, and thereby 4 attain flexibility.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 14 wherein we have indicated the means 'for accomplishing the loading of the carriers,

such as are shown in- Figs 1U"12, it will be `iobaaerved that the belt B2 is here shown as `carryin` v-brick disposed transversely of the 'belt ns rom a side cutmaclrlm` instead ol V"`longitudinally of the belt as in Fig. 13, and it is? to be noted that the apparatus here used is similar in Vall substantial respects to that of 13, save in this that the several. 'additlonal elements here following are Yreftiired, viagra belt B3 disposed at an angle to e belt 'a bridge plate B* to allow the trnlsfer gffthe brick from one belt to the other, and a; guide plate 13s disposed above.

the'belts l2v and B3 but in thev plane of the `belt B, to the end that as the first ofthe bricks 102 strike the outermost plate 85 of the series tif-,plates 75, held in their most elevated position bythe plate B5, it will feed the device forwardzliy the assistance of v gravity and 'as each of the enlarged fportions f7-become entirely disengaged rom 75 descends in front of the next following said plate B,Vthe following ot such plate@ use the rods 64X headed at their upper ends Y l 'lo and 14 that to attain a most efficient olmrotion of apparet.i1s embodying our infr i the brick be' proifo-niente, it .is de agile tl'- ermieivhi.. iced d t 'irior lolthe instant 'f engegenient with thec'arriers lrii1gnon-f more particularly toi/Figs .i and, 16, it is to he noted that each/ fof the switch members F con ected pivotallj i .ce 110 linedlgz by meer the U shape l inountc/L the brunch tinck member E, and that oooh adopted to rest Whf'in closed against the rei] A, upon a. shelf 111 pro jeoting therefrom: The switch F ie sup ported. intermediate its ends by the' operating lever 11.1 pivoteiglet 112 upon the erm 11,23 carrieeil by the supporting bracket 32, the oppos' end 1111 of such lever having ygiivotiu-l connection .atllz with the core 116 ,n p ni the solenoid ii. From inspection of Fig;

1G, perticuim'ly, it llbe-observedthat'the u Vle-.nord cove 'will hold' the .gege-ment. with the .track .ff or described.

.l 'erring now more pnrticuloriy to Figs. 17 to 19 wherein neve illustrated in some dei-ail the circuit chnnging device indicated at H, Fig. 1, ii; will seen that this-comi prisee e suitable box or case- 1.17 supported by flanged web 11S from the supporting racket such. casing being provided on interior with contact members 120, 121, d lending respectively, by the iso, no., iin, mi to the sew-eral soienoids Gr, 3, (l2 and (i3. .Within the erasing is mounted. rotatably a. Contact cari' if provided With :t brush 125 and l to complete the circuits through the wires 130. 131, 132., and 133 'for energizing the solenoi i, il", G2, G3; The outer end 126 olt :it 1211 ig. Jrovidcd with a hub n four upstaui .ing lingers 140, 141, 14:2, and 143 corresponding respectively to the contacts 120, 121, ,122, and 123 and solenoids (i, G", G2 and G for operating the switches F, F', F2, and F3, respectively, the circuit changing device being operated by the erro 144e proiecting from the trolley 'rzm'iing 30 striking one of the ngers 140, lill, 1112 and 143..A

The operation of a brick transporting npperzitus embodying our present invention is as follows-z :itely i e collector` @passes out of Contact Withtleffit part of the conductor indicated :it 1?,- the trolley C descends the inclined portion 151 if the tie-ir A. allowing the elm-mui "8rv 'o0 and 30 to come into position to eng` ge the br k 102 may be Soon at D2 and excited in the manner to' D3. vf1onveyer B will move et' motor of the trolley C is'energized, and the Currier D will thereby und by the irripact of the carrier D2 be moved to the position sho-wn end its prior positions'succcssively occupied, by D2 and D3. As soon as the collector 42 strikes the guidevvay indicatori :it 155, the trolley C will be 'energized and the carrier D2 will.- assume the relation -vnrallel to the belt like that shown for the carrier D". As the motion of the conveyor B. in the direction indicated by the arrow is continuous, andthe late 68' .of the carrier D2 'has dropped in ront of thevbrick 102'L consequent lupon the'removal of the .carrier- D, thefhricks'102, 102, und 102c will close together similarly to those indicated at 102, 1025.102?. Immediately the .collectorl shoe /lzstrilres the idcway 156 of the conductor R'thesolenoid-[.162 will become excited, the pivoted sides 58 and 59 drawn inwardly toward the stationery center 60 and the bricks finally clamped inthe carrier and any inequallties in 'their surfacesv ressed out. The brick clamped in the carrierstill contacting with the conveyor-13, the carrier continues to progress in the direction indicated by the arrow until the contact 42 strikes that part of the conductor Q indicatednt 155 when. the motor-is energized and begins its travel along thetrack A.

As the trolley Cf approaches the circuit changer H and strikes the4 finger 140, (see Fig. 17) closing the circuit through the wire 130, the solenoid G (Fig. 16) is eX cited, the switch F (Fig. 15) 1s closed and the trolley C is diverted down the track E. The approach of the following trolley vC2 Will move the arm 1111,i open the` circuit through the solenoid G and open the switch F, simultaneously closing the circuit through the wire 131 the solenoid G and closing the switch F like operations taking place with respect to. the switches F2 of the track E2, and the switch F3 of the track E, open- 'ing the switch previously closed and closing the next one in order, etc. .When the contact 42 of the carrier C reaches the point on the conductor T indicated at 160, the energization 0f the motor is discontinued and the trolley comes to a. stop, but the solenoid 62 continues to be excited. The operator-standin et O then grasps the carriez' C with his hand and brings it to its desired position above the car J, pulls down the carrier by extending the springs 106, and opens the clamp and discharges the brick by 170, Whio .opens the circuit through the coil of the solenoid 62, the weight ofthe core of sich solenoid descending will move the .clamp members 58 and 59 outwardly to their positions indicated in dotted lines in Fig'. 8. The carrier 'C bein-g relieved 0f the it is obvious from en inspection' of greater speed than the carrier D until the 65 1pressing upon the switch button -sible for a trolley Weight of .the brick will immediately rise from the brick by means ofl the springs 106 previously held under tension, and the car4` rierfmay be then ""give` a manual impulse along the track E, and as soon as the contact 42 strikes that partof the conductor T indicated at 161,th'e motor 34 Will become energized and the-,carrier will proceed onits Way along the track E and over the switch N and the track A until the trolley C again reaches the terminal 162 when the operation first described will berepeated.

It is to be observed that it Will be imposcominggfrom any one of the tracks E, E E2 or a to collide with a trolley coming from any other one ofsuch tracks, by virtue of our use of the circuit interruptin mechanism illustrated in Fig. 2 which s owsfthe details of the circuit chan ers Z energized through the conductors and X.' To illustrate the use of this mechanism We Will assume a carrier on the track E approaching thc switch N, and a carrier from the track E having passed the sWit'chN) simultaneously approaching the sWitchfN. lIn this case' the conductors .T and T are both energized by means of `the conductor 180 having Contact members 181, 182 adapted to contact with the plates 183 and 184 carried on -the cores 185 and 186 of the solenoids 18T and .188, respectively, the plate 183being adapted to make contact with the contact member 187X leadingby the :Wire 189 to the conductor T, Whereas the plate 184 is adapted to make contact with the contact member 188x and complete the circuit through the conductor 190 to the conductor T, respectively. The cores 185 and 186 likewise carry plates 191 and 192, (insulated from the plates 183 and 184, respectively) adapted to complete circuits through the contacts 193 and 194 respectively, and the Wires 195x and 196s respectively, to the conductors X and S. The plates 191 and 192, respectively, are adapted to make contact with the contact mem.- bers 195 and 196 leading by the Wires 197 and 198, respectively, to the solenoidal coils 187 and 188, respectively, for litin the cores 185 and 186, a common return eing had through the conductor 199. It will be observed that in the position shown in Fig.

' 2, the conductor T is fed. through the circuit .including the elements 180, 182, 184,188",

190 T and Q, andthe conductor T is' fed .through the circuit including the elements 180, 181, 183, 187x, 189 T and Q. When, however, a trolley on the track E approaches the circuit changer Z, the collector 4.2 on

contacting with the auxiliary conductor S will complete a circuit through the elements T., S, 19s, 194, 192, 196, isrand 1 99 thereby energizing the coil 187 lifting the core 185 and interrupting the circuits in \cl.1ding the plates 191 and 183 through which the conductors T and X are flied. From the foregoing description it 'will be apparent that the conductors-T and T are cintinuously fed, save When the approach of a trolley having a collector bearing on one of the conductors S or X excites one of the solenoids 187 or y188 and interrupts that cir-` cuit Which would allow an incoming trolley to interfere with the clear passage onto the part P of the main line A.

If for any reason delivery of brick to the guide tracks be temporarily suspended, they may be diverted to the storage track indicated at A* having conductors RX and Q", and corru'nunicating with the track A by means of a manually operated switch Fx and a spring switch NK.

While Wc have shown an improved conveyer system as arranged for use ina brick making establishment, it has obviously many otheruses by extension and :'Ldaptation, and these are included within the scope ci? our invention and intended to be covered by our claims.

Having thus described our invention and illustrated its use, what \ve.,clai1n as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is the following: l

1. The combination with. a track. of, tive electric feed conductors independent ci the track and of each other, independent cars on the track provided vvitli` motors' and grapples adapted to be moved into engagement with material electromagnetically, a driving circuit for cach car, exciting circuits for each motor and grapple, the latter having operative contact with its conductor during the whole of that portion of the travel of the cars over which material is to be transported, said grapples being held in engaging position by the passage of current electric feed conductors independent of the track and of each other, a car on the track provided with a motor and a grapple adapted to be moved into engagement with material electromagnetically, exciting circuits for said motor and grapple, respectively,

'having operative contactL with said conductors during a portion only of the .travel of the car, the exciting circuit for said mo tor circuit being closed before the` exciting circuit for said grapple is closed.

.3. The combination of a circuit of track, a series of cars thereon, electrically operated motors and grapple's adapted to be moved into engagement with material electromagnetically on said cars,.conductors for supplying current thereto, and independent motor and exciting circuits for said grapples, each having a .contact member in con tact with one of said conductors during one fao - suon travel.

l driving circuit for said motor,

part of the travel of the cars and out of. contact therewithduring another part of 4. The combination witha .car having an electric motor and an electrically operated engaging device,- ofla trackand separate conductors for feeding the motor andthe engaging device, and means for automatically operating both the motor andthe ngaging device during that portionof lthe travel of` the car over Which material is to be transported, the engaging device alone during anotherportion of such travel,'and the motor alone during a third portion of such travel.

5. The combination of a motor driven car having a grapple havinglsubstantially fiat vertical faces adapted to be moved into engagement with a load of material electromagnetically, of independent feed conductors to the motor and grapple, the conductor for saidgrapple havln operative connection withsaid apple `darin the Whole of that portion ofthe travelo the car occu* pied by the transference of the load carried by the car. l l l 6. The combination of a motor driven car having thereon an engaging device, and independent feed conductors to the motor and engaging device, said conductors being arranged to alternately energize the engaging device and motor during a portion of the travel of the car, toenergize 'both the enga'ging device andthe motor during another portion of such travel, and to cut both out of circuit'durng a third position of=such travel.

7 The combination cfa track, a car thereon, a grapple having substantially iiat vertical. faces adapted to be moved into engagement with a load of inate'rialby the passage ol?V an electric currenttherethrough, means for operating the car, and means for cutting said grapple ont of cireuit'during a portion of the travel of thefcar,.'and'means for automatically 'bringing the -grapple into disengaging positionon the breaking of Vthe circuit`therethrcnrgh. l

1 8. The combination cfa track,- tW-o Aelectric feed conductors independent `'of the track' and .each other, a carI thereon provided with a motor,` a grapple on said car, a solenoid adapted to positivelyI7 movev said grapple into engagement with material,- a 2h exciting circuit for Said solenoid respecti ely having contact with said conductors dyring a por-- tion only ofthe ltravel -of theta-rs. l

9. The' combination With a car and means for operating the same, of an engagingdevice onthe car, an automatically electrically operable means for opening and closing the same ,and automatically .operable means for energizing the electrically operalole` means.

10. The combination ivith a car and means for operating the same, of an engagingdevvice on the car, an automatically7 electrlcaily operable means for opening and closingt saine and automatica energizing the electrically operable means, said last named means being external of the car.

tor for operating the car, 'of a solenoidal grapple onthe car adapted to engage mate- 11. The combination with a car and a mo-- ly operable meansrial beneath` the ear, means for-automatt cally .actuating the same, and' merma-'o1 `r able independent of the motor conne for releasing it at predetermined 'poi' l2. The combination withacar'andfa io'- tor for driving the car, of a solenoidal grapple on the .car adapted to engage material beneath the car` means for z iutomaticalbr actuating the same, and means operable independent of t'he'motor connections for re r leasmg itat predetermined points, said driyi Kpositively moving said device into engaging vposition during a partonlylofeach travel.

14, The combination with a track, 'of two electric feed conductors independent of the track and of each other, independent cars on the track .provided with motors and electrically operable vengaging devices operable during a portiouonly of the travel of the cars, a driving circuit for each car and an exciting .circuit `for each engaging device` thellatter having opera-tive contact with its .cond ctor during tlie'whole periodvof transferencelof theload.

15. The combination with a track, of two "electric feed conductors independent of the track and ofeac'h other, independent cars on lthe track provided with m ples." adapted 'loe moved 1n 'withv .material `elect-.romagiretica portion only of the travelof y? during f1' the cars, a

engngemet 1 1.165

driving circuit for each car and an exciting .v

circuit for eachgrapple, the latter having operative contact with its conductor during the whole period of transference ofthe load'.

16. The combination with a* track tor' driven car and/.ari enga-gin the car including lsub,stan't'lally members adapted `-vtojbe -moved'into engage ment with a loa-d of materie- 1 by :the passage of an electric current therethroughfofmeans for supplying current to sadmot' atfvertical cu't having operative Contact with said con,-

-ductor din-mg a art of the travel of the .cer

0n seid track, said device bengheld in e11 agi position 5f t eret rough by the' passage of current 17. The combination with a track of two electric feed conductors independent of the .tnek and of each other, independent curs on v 'the'track provided with motors and grapadapted'to be moved into engagement eleetromagneticelly,

en exciting circuit foi* a driving euch grapple, and means independent of the motor connections for automatically electrically energizing the Eg1-apples during u part of the time the driving/circuit is operative.

In Witness whereof We have hereunder signed our naines in the presence of the two 'subscribed Witnesses. Y.

BERNARD F.V WEBER. FRANK E. WOODFRD. Witnesses:

GEO. C. DAvIsoN, PAUL CARPENTER. 

